Leeds United and Borussia Monchengladbach are set to go back to the negotiating table for defender Maximillian Wöber according to gladbachlive.de.
In an interview with the Kicker podcast last week, it was revealed that Wöber’s loan deal at Gladbach has no option to buy clause and the player would have to return to Leeds at the end of the season.
The Austrian defender joined United in January 2023 as the club scrambled to find quality signings to help avoid relegation under Jesse Marsch. In a season where Leeds spent in excess of £100 million and changed the manager three times, but still failed to secure Premier League survival.
Wöber’s introduction into the team was influential, and he became a fan favorite in his early days at Elland Road. His defensive displays at the back helped stabilize the team for a few weeks, but eventually The Whites were relegated at the end of the season.
Despite showing enthusiasm in being present for Leeds United in the Championship, Wöber quickly sought a move and left the club a few weeks before the first game of the new season. This move angered fans at the time as they believed he would stay and fight for promotion.
He was not the only one, as a whole host of players who featured in the Premier League last season forced moves away from the club that summer.
Wöber has been a solid addition to the Gladbach team, and he has already become a key player at the club.
When asked about his future in Germany, this is what the player had to say:
“I’m more like a passenger,” said Wöber about his situation in transfer poker. “Leeds is currently playing really good football, and it looks like I’m taking the step back at the moment.” via Kicker podcast.
Leeds can use Wöber deal to seal promotion
Since there is no obligation to buy the defender, Leeds and Gladbach would have to enter talks to find a permanent deal for the player. The Austrian defender has been a regular in the Bundesliga this season, starting all 15 games he has been available for. So it is safe to say that the German club would be interested in making his move permanent.
Wöber reportedly joined Leeds United for around £11million, so any deal above that mark would be a healthy profit for the club. With Gladbach in the quarter finals of the DFB Pokal, they have a route to European football, which would only increase the fee they would have to pay for the Leeds United loanee.
The profit could then be used to bring in important signings in January to help the club in the promotion race.
At this stage it seems a deal in the summer is more likely, but if Leeds put a bit of pressure on regarding the price tag of the player, Gladbach may bite, giving Daniel Farke some unexpected but much-needed funds this month.
